BIO

Robert Burch began working with glass in Atlanta, Georgia while still in high school. After graduating, he worked for the Japanese glassblower, Tadashi Torii for two years. Shortly after, he attended Pilchuck Glass School before deciding to make the jump to the mecca of glass working, Seattle, Washington. It was there that Burch had the honor of working with the renown American glass artist, Martin Blank. In the span of five years, Burch learned all aspects of glass artistry as he worked as Blank’s gaffer, cold worker, lead shipper, and metalworker. Subsequently, the team collaborated on color design teams for the glass empire company Chihuly Inc.

Burch currently lives and works as an independent traveling artist, teaching and making work where opportunities arise. Burch has always been fascinated with the idea of folklore and strives to maintain privacy within his artistry. He enjoys having a private life and invites his audience to take their interest in his work a step further to learn about his work and whereabouts.

Statement of Green Intentions

Our world is undeniably in the midst of an environmental crisis. Regardless of political views, the fact remains that our planet is being mistreated. In many fields beyond art, there is a dichotomy between a green movement and the willful ignorance of the harm being done. I write this statement shed light on the fact that I take this into profound consideration when conceptualizing and materializing my art works. 90% of the glass that I make is made at an environmentally considerate glass studio by the name of Jackson County Green Energy Park. This facility has been pivotal for my thinking on these matters. The reheating furnaces are fueled by the bio decomposition of trash. If it were not for this eco-facility, the use of glass in my art works would decline sharply. Methane is 20 times worse for the atmosphere than CO2 and therefore its combustion is the environmentally responsible conduct. I see my art is a byproduct of the investigation of renewable energy resources and environmental protection, in the midst of a reckless field. All the scrap glass that is headed for the landfill, I personally tumble to create fill for outdoor gardens, thus removing it from the waste stream. All the steel I use in my work is reclaimed from scrap yards, removing it from the waste stream and re-purposing it. I cannot in good conscience ignore the environmental impacts my artwork has on the planet and have adjusted my lifestyle and work accordingly. Instead of just privately preaching, I hope to set a personal example to show my contemporaries that we can transition to a more eco-considerate practice. I tend to keep this conversation to myself but for humility's sake, I feel like this statement needs to be in writing for friends, clients, patrons who share the same drive to tread lightly on the planet but continue to perpetuate one's ideas.